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A grandmother washes a car while a large tabby Maine Coon swats at a spray of water from a green hose. 20 / 36

Nora Washed the Car While Maple Fought the Hose and Won

AI imagemaine cooncar washhose water

Water arcs from a green hose and Maple is not going to let it escape. The big tabby Maine Coon crouches on the wet driveway with one paw raised, swatting at the spray and sending droplets everywhere. In the background, Nora scrubs her car with a bright blue sponge, her cream cardigan sleeves pushed up and her glasses on her nose. A blue bucket of suds sits beside her, with gardening tools and potted plants lining the fence behind.

Water play is not just for dogs. Some cats love it, especially breeds with thick, water-resistant coats such as the Maine Coon, and a splash of hose water can feel like a fun game. Even so, keep it brief and gentle. Cold water can chill a cat on a cool day, so dry her off afterward. Car washing brings other hazards. Soap, wax and chemical cleaners are toxic to pets, so keep the bucket out of reach and rinse spills away. Antifreeze, which can leak onto driveways, is especially dangerous and tastes sweet to animals. If you think your cat has licked a chemical, call your vet right away.

Nora keeps scrubbing, but she is smiling at the antics beside her. The car will be shiny soon, and the cat will be damp, delighted and in need of a towel. It is a busy, splashy afternoon, and everyone is exactly where they want to be. The hose, it turns out, is the best toy in the yard.

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